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Softball Opens The 2002 Season No. 8 In The Country

TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona State softball team will start the 2002 season ranked No. 8 in the country according to the USA Today/NFCA Top-25 preseason poll, released today. The poll is voted on by 27 Division I softball coaches, representing all areas of the country.

For only one week in the past two and half years, Arizona State has not dropped out of the top-10.

Playing in the toughest conference in the nation, the Pacific-10, seven of the conference's eight schools - USC and Washington State do not field teams - are ranked in the top-20, including six of the top nine.

The Sun Devils, coming off a 36-22 season and a No. 9 national ranking last year, return eight of nine starters, including two-time All-American pitcher Kirsten Voak and All-American designated player Erica Beach.